Duke fabnswoeth baxter of eochestee



(No Model.)

D. F. 'BAXTER.

DAMPENING DEVICE. No. 302,681. Patented July 29, 1884.

N. PEIERs Phowiilhngnphcr. Walhmninn. D.c.

UNITED STATES ATnNT rrren.

DUKE FARNSWORTH BAXTER, OF ROCHESTER, NEWV YORK.

DAMPENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 302,681, dated July 2533,1884.

Application filed March 10, 1884.

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DUKE F. BAXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements vin Dampening Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of sponge cups or dampeners employed in wetting the fingers to facilitate the counting of notes, 850.; and myinvention consists of a case, cover, and dampening-roller constructed and arranged as hereinafter described, so as to maintain a constantly wet surface for contact with the fingers, yet prevent the latter from becoming unduly moistened.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an external elevation of my improved dampening device,

showing the method of using the same; and Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the cover in diiferent positions.

The box or receptacle A is of any suitable form and material, and is provided with a cap or cover, B, consisting of a flat plate having an opening adapted to receive the dampening-roller O, which may be-provided with trunnions, or may turn upon a cross-bar, a,as shown, so as to be carried with the cover but revolve freely therein. The case A is filled with cotton, sponge, or other absorbent material which is saturated with water poured into the ease, and which will carry the water by capillary action to the roller so long as there is any in the case, thereby avoiding the necessity of maintaining the latter full of water.

In using the device the cover is laid fiat upon the case and the fingers are applied to the roller, as shown in Fig. 1, the roller being revolved to expose a fresh wetted surface as often as may be necessary, which surface will retain sufficient water to dampen the fingers to the requisite extent.

In ordinary dampening devices the water is carried upward by an absorbent material, which continuously lifts it from the case, causing its rapid evaporation, and which when (No model.)

pressed will frequently give off a larger amount of water than is desirable. In other cases the roller revolves within a cup open at the top, and in applying the hand rapidly to the roller the fingers are apt to be dipped in the water and unduly moistened while the exposure of the surface of the water facilitates the evaporation'.

By providing the case with a cover having an opening just large enough for the roller to revolve therein, I prevent the exposure of the surface of the water and render it impossible for the fingers to be dipped into the cup, without in any way interfering with the manipulation of the roller, so as to permit a fresh wetted surface to be exposed at any time.

By hinging the cap to the case, as shown, I am enabled to let the case into an openingin the top of the desk or counter with the top B, flush with the face of the counter, and the cap and its roller may be thrown back at any time to permit the case to be refilled.

The use of absorbent material is not always essential, but is desirable for the reason set forth.

I claim-- 1. The dampening device provided with the cap having an opening, anda roller journaled within said opening and projecting above the cap, for the purpose set forth.

2. Adampening device consisting of a case, A, containing absorbent material, a cap, B, and a roller, 0, supported to turn in the cap and fitting an opening therein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the case and the cap B, hinged thereto, and carrying a projecting revolving roller fitting anopening in said cap, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DUKE FARNSVVORTH BAXTER.

Witnesses:

FRANCES A. BAXTER, FLORENCE BAXTER. 

